Glasgow Restaurants & Drinks
Discussion
We have a family gathering coming up soon and we are meeting in Glasgow, so I’m looking for recommendations of decent restaurants for an evening meal in the city centre please? It’s mainly adults but there will be two children (around 12 & 8 years old). No particular types of food required but would rather avoid Indian or Thai on this one and definitely want to avoid any type of chain restaurants. Somewhere a bit special but fairly relaxed bearing in mind the children. Maybe just a good Italian, but open to any suggestions?
Also, can you recommend any good/interesting city centre bars/pubs for the adults when the kids have gone to bed?
Looks like we’ll be staying at the Doubletree on Cambridge Street if that makes any difference, but walking/getting around isn’t a problem.
Thanks very much.
Also posted in Holidays & Travel – mods, please amend if required/I’ve done something wrong
Also, can you recommend any good/interesting city centre bars/pubs for the adults when the kids have gone to bed?
Looks like we’ll be staying at the Doubletree on Cambridge Street if that makes any difference, but walking/getting around isn’t a problem.
Thanks very much.
Also posted in Holidays & Travel – mods, please amend if required/I’ve done something wrong
Paesano Pizza on Miller Street (behind Queen Street) is the best pizza I've ever had in my entire life. Every time I go up to Glasgow (probably 10-11 times a year pre-covid) I'd go there. It's sensational pizza, trust me!
Bars wise, St Vincent Place (just off George Square) has a few nice trendy bars. The Citizen is a canny little place.
Bars wise, St Vincent Place (just off George Square) has a few nice trendy bars. The Citizen is a canny little place.
Paesano is excellent, but not sure if it would fit your definition of "special". It's very quick service and not somewhere you could really expect to have a drawn-out dinner celebration. It is excellent though, and you should go.
For drinks from where you are you could either jump in a taxi and go along to the Finnieston area, which is essentially Argyle Street starting at Claremont Street and heading West all the way to Kelvingrove. This is probably where i'd go: Crabshakk, The Gannet, The Finnieston for food, or Six by Nico if that's your kind of thing (been twice, meh). Ben Nevis and Kelvingrove Cafe for drinks, and the Islay Inn for good mesaure once i've had a few. Round the back you have Butchershop or Ox and Finch for food - both good. Ox and Finch a bit pretentious, but they seem to have eased off.
You could remain in the taxi and go to the West End, which is Byres Road South up to North and then East on Great Western Road. More students, but lots of great spots. Ubiquitious Chip for food, and plenty other options round the lane there like the Grosvenor Cafe, which is probably more suitable for kids. Number 16 is also very good, but small and equally hard to get a table - especially a big one. Sparkle Horse, Aragon, Brel, Jinty McGuinty's, or Hillhead Bookclub for drinks
You could take a bit of a walk (or a taxi) from the hotel and go to the Merchant city area - basically the South side of George Square/Cochrane Street as far as East as High Street and as far South as Trongate. Don't go to High Street by the way, and definitely no further East for the uninitiated - there be dragons. Also a good night out to be had there with plenty of booze and food options, though heavier on the Indian food options around there - good ones, too. Spiritualist (i think it might have closed) for drinks, or the Corinthian just to have a gawp inside. In to Merchant Square and drinks in the Beer Cafe. Cafe Gandolfi for food might be an option for eating - good for breakfast/brunchy types. Bar Soba also used to do a good boozy brunch option, but i havent seen it for a while. Italian Kitchen is up that way too which is nice enough, and i've also heard good things about Doppio Malto (though i've not been).
For drinks from where you are you could either jump in a taxi and go along to the Finnieston area, which is essentially Argyle Street starting at Claremont Street and heading West all the way to Kelvingrove. This is probably where i'd go: Crabshakk, The Gannet, The Finnieston for food, or Six by Nico if that's your kind of thing (been twice, meh). Ben Nevis and Kelvingrove Cafe for drinks, and the Islay Inn for good mesaure once i've had a few. Round the back you have Butchershop or Ox and Finch for food - both good. Ox and Finch a bit pretentious, but they seem to have eased off.
You could remain in the taxi and go to the West End, which is Byres Road South up to North and then East on Great Western Road. More students, but lots of great spots. Ubiquitious Chip for food, and plenty other options round the lane there like the Grosvenor Cafe, which is probably more suitable for kids. Number 16 is also very good, but small and equally hard to get a table - especially a big one. Sparkle Horse, Aragon, Brel, Jinty McGuinty's, or Hillhead Bookclub for drinks
You could take a bit of a walk (or a taxi) from the hotel and go to the Merchant city area - basically the South side of George Square/Cochrane Street as far as East as High Street and as far South as Trongate. Don't go to High Street by the way, and definitely no further East for the uninitiated - there be dragons. Also a good night out to be had there with plenty of booze and food options, though heavier on the Indian food options around there - good ones, too. Spiritualist (i think it might have closed) for drinks, or the Corinthian just to have a gawp inside. In to Merchant Square and drinks in the Beer Cafe. Cafe Gandolfi for food might be an option for eating - good for breakfast/brunchy types. Bar Soba also used to do a good boozy brunch option, but i havent seen it for a while. Italian Kitchen is up that way too which is nice enough, and i've also heard good things about Doppio Malto (though i've not been).
Chucklehead said:
...some good stuff...
I'd agree with most of this - some great recommendations there.I've eaten in Ox & Finch many times and always found them a friendly bunch, even when dining with a larger family group with kids, but you do need to book well in advance. Their sister restaurant Ka Pao in the West End is also excellent. Both small plates type places which some love, some hate.
Spiritualist is still open - I was there last week for drinks after the equally lovely Mamasan across the road for food and drinks there beforehand. Both really nice inside with high quality food and drinks - both definitely for the cocktail lovers.
Nearby on St Vincent Place you have Citation, Anchor Line and Atlantic Bar & Brasserie, are all lovely inside for drinks - haven't eaten in any of them though.
For breakfast/brunch I'd add in Singl-End which has 2 restaurants in town - ate there today and its as good as ever with a very wide menu.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 20th January 23:23
yellowbentines said:
I'd agree with most of this - some great recommendations there.
I've eaten in Ox & Finch many times and always found them a friendly bunch, even when dining with a larger family group with kids, but you do need to book well in advance. Their sister restaurant Ka Pao in the West End is also excellent. Both small plates type places which some love, some hate.
Spiritualist is still open - I was there last week for drinks after the equally lovely Mamasan across the road for food and drinks there beforehand. Both really nice inside with high quality food and drinks - both definitely for the cocktail lovers.
Nearby on St Vincent Place you have Citation, Anchor Line and Atlantic Bar & Brasserie, are all lovely inside for drinks - haven't eaten in any of them though.
For breakfast/brunch I'd add in Singl-End which has 2 restaurants in town - ate there today and its as good as ever with a very wide menu.
The Atlantic Bar & Brasserie is excellent for food. I can recommend it.I've eaten in Ox & Finch many times and always found them a friendly bunch, even when dining with a larger family group with kids, but you do need to book well in advance. Their sister restaurant Ka Pao in the West End is also excellent. Both small plates type places which some love, some hate.
Spiritualist is still open - I was there last week for drinks after the equally lovely Mamasan across the road for food and drinks there beforehand. Both really nice inside with high quality food and drinks - both definitely for the cocktail lovers.
Nearby on St Vincent Place you have Citation, Anchor Line and Atlantic Bar & Brasserie, are all lovely inside for drinks - haven't eaten in any of them though.
For breakfast/brunch I'd add in Singl-End which has 2 restaurants in town - ate there today and its as good as ever with a very wide menu.
Edited by yellowbentines on Thursday 20th January 23:23
We did mid Covid Glasgow trip last year and ate at both the Anchor Line and the Atlantic Brasserie downstairs. The Brasserie I enjoyed (fishier and Frencher) but Mrs ABZ got a dodgy prawn that didn’t go down well. The Anchor Line though I thought was great with a real NYC steakhouse feel.
Another vote for Gandolfi, and if down Byres Road the Bothy is good.
Loads to chose from though, but do book if you can.
Another vote for Gandolfi, and if down Byres Road the Bothy is good.
Loads to chose from though, but do book if you can.
This has been so helpful -I'll be in Glasgow with a Celtic-mad youngster next week, and booking Corinthian Club for Brunch and Atlantic for lunch has made my day. As well as a Celtic match and Stadium tour of course.
If anyone had great ideas that would inspire a 14 year old, I'm all ears !
If anyone had great ideas that would inspire a 14 year old, I'm all ears !
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